I am giong to buy some bulk diesel and was wondering what type I should get. I know the no. 1 has a higher cetane level so that is what I was thinking about getting. Is this ok or do we have to run no. 2 in these trucks.
thanks
dave

 

Number 1 is kerosene.
Number 2 is diesel fuel.

 

Not sure about your part of the country but in Oregon #1 is off road only(construction sites,farms, ect...)and not legal to use on the road.

 

hmmmmm

I learn something new every day around here.

 

#1 is not kerosene. #1 is about half way between k-1 and #2. I was always told that #2 had more power (cetane).

 

Now I'm confused.

Where I'm at, #1 is winter blend diesel/kerosene, #2 is summer blend straight diesel, and off-road is "off-road" or "red-dye".

#2 definately has more BTU's than #1.

 

#1 Diesel doesn't have the lubricity of #2

If you do get a bulk load of #1, I'd put some additive in the tank....

 

Found a good explaination on Mobil's website:

What factors affect power/fuel economy?
Engine design is the most important factor leading to power and fuel economy. However, fuels with a higher density like our Low Sulfur Diesel No. 2 and Mobil Diesel Extra will provide improved power and fuel economy compared to fuels with Diesel Fuel No. 1 blended into them. Mobil Diesel Extra, because of its detergents, maintains fuel injector cleanliness, which prevents much of the degradation in engine performance experienced with non-additized fuels.

What is low-temperature operability?
Low-temperature operability is a diesel fuel’s ability to perform at low temperatures. All petroleum distillate products contain waxy materials, which, at low temperatures, can crystallize and plug fuel filters. The cloud point of the fuel measures the first appearance of the waxes, although filter plugging will not typically occur until the ambient temperature is 5° to 10°F below the cloud point. There are several approaches, both operational and fuel-related, to ensure proper operability in cold weather.

Vehicle-related approaches include the use of fuel heaters, keeping the engine running, parking the vehicle in heated areas, etc. Each of these is designed to keep the fuel warm, above the point where waxing occurs. But each of these approaches has obvious drawbacks, as well.

The low-temperature operability of the fuel can be adjusted in several ways, as well. Blending a No. 2 fuel with No. 1 can lower its cloud point; this is probably the most common approach to dealing with winter operability. But, the use of Diesel Fuel No. 1 reduces power and fuel economy, and often is more expensive, so minimizing the amount of No. 1 Fuel in the blend is an important consideration.

 

Get #2 only to fill your tank and use it year round with an anti-gel additive in the winter. Cheaper, more power and better mileage.

Not true. #1 is diesel is widely available as on road straight or in a winter blend with #2 in the colder eastern part of Oregon.

K-1 Kerosene, #1 diesel, and jet fuel (JP4) are closely related to each other. About the only difference is #1 and JP4 have higher allowable sulfur than K-1

 

Thanks for the clarification folks.

 

Okay, here is my understanding of it.

#2 Diesel - this is the good stuff, the summer fuel. Has higher cetane than #1. Can also be dyed red to become Off Road (non taxed) Diesel fuel.

#1 The winter blend. More closer to kerosene but safe to burn. Lower cetane, and usually will get you less mileage.

There is also another blend I believe. Some stations will mix #2 and #1 to get the cetane up and lower the gel point.

I believe this is right, please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I have heard that #1 has a high cetane level so you get better mileage, so why wouldn't you be able to get more power. I do know that #1 has less sulfur in it then #2. I also know that it is easier on the engine as far a start up goes. I was just wondering if it would be alright to run. In the owners manual it says to use #2 or a mixture of #1&2 for winter use but it doesn't really say that you can run #1. I was wondering if it maybe because it has a lower lubricant mixture? Does anyone know, because if it has less lubricant then I will need to add a aditive to make sure no to hurt lift pump.
Yes they do sell #1 as a road fuel, less smoke and starts easier.

 

Some stations do mix but this is the good stuff. From what I know #1 has the higher cetane levels, only difference is the sulfur levels. #1 is not a winter blend either, some truckers run it all year. It is 3-4 cents a gallon more though.

 

#1 has a higher cetane rating but lower BTU's. Cetane is the ability to burn. Number 1 burns more easily. Number 2 does not burn as easily but produces more BTU's (power) when it does burn. Number 1 could be run year round because it has a lower cloud point (doesn't gel as easily) as number 2.

The correct choice in my opinion would be like infidel said, number 2 with an anti gel additive in the cold months. Anyone that has run winter blend fuel (number 2 mixed with number 1) will testify that they got worse mileage than when the station changes back to straight number 2 fuel in the summer.

 

AMartinson has stated the biggest reason why we get better mileage with #2. IT is MORE DENSE, or weighs more than #1.

Had a diesel instructor at one of the local colleges explain this simplified version to me.

Do what "infidel" stated, buy the #2, if you have to add some additive for the winter months...so be it.